![]() ![]() What should you do when your cat is having a seizure? This is more commonly diagnosed in younger cats and this diagnosis is made when an underlying cause is not identified and the seizure occurs because of a brain malfunction affecting neurotransmission. Compared to younger cats, older cats are more likely to have a concurrent health problem such as those listed above.Ī seizure may otherwise be ‘idiopathic’. Extracranial causes can include the ingestion of toxins, kidney disease, liver disease, heart arrhythmias, and disrupted blood sugar regulation, among others. Seizures in cats can be a symptom of many different health problems and the causes are often categorised as intracranial (within the brain) or extracranial (due to disease elsewhere in the body).Įxamples of intracranial causes include brain inflammation, tumours, and trauma. You should also contact a vet for advice if it’s your cat’s first seizure, they have not been seen by a vet for this problem before, or they have more than one seizure episode close together, regardless of how long the episode lasts. Make sure you call your vet immediately for emergency care. If your cat’s seizure lasts for more than 5–10 minutes, the condition is referred to as status epilepticus and is considered a medical emergency. ![]() If possible, make a quick note of the time that the seizure starts. If you suspect there is something unusual about your cat’s behaviour, make sure you check these symptoms with your vet. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as excessive thirst, tiredness or constant pacing, because these can precede a seizure. At times, an episode can go unnoticed because the signs are so slight. In certain cases, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms of cat seizure from other behavioural causes. The symptoms of a partial seizure in cats can include: They can be alarming to watch as you might see symptoms such as shaking, loss of consciousness, twitching, or urination. General seizures typically have a sudden onset and last up to three minutes. The signs of a cat seizure will vary depending on the cause and type of episode. Idiopathic epilepsy also manifests through seizures, but in this case, no abnormalities can be detected in the brain or anywhere else in the body. Epilepsy in cats should not be confused with the genetic condition called idiopathic epilepsy which usually affects both dogs and humans, but is a fairly rare illness in felines. If your pet has experienced a single episode in their life, they are unlikely to be diagnosed with cat epilepsy. ![]() What is cat epilepsy?Ĭat epilepsy is a condition characterised by seizures that happen repeatedly and are caused by disruptions in brain activity. A generalised seizure involves both halves of the brain, whereas a partial seizure will involve a specific brain region. There are various categories of seizure, and often an episode will be considered generalised or partial. Kidney problems, liver disease or low sugar levels can also lead to seizures in cats. However, seizures can also be caused by problems other than brain abnormalities. Seizures in cats are a sign of abnormal brain functioning and are not actually a disease diagnosis in itself. This can result in nerve stimulation elsewhere in the body, resulting in the unusual behaviours that are often associated with seizures. During a seizure, there are sudden, abnormal electrical impulses that disrupt the normal processes in the brain. What are cat seizures?Ĭat seizures manifest as unusual behaviours such as collapse, twitching, gnashing of the teeth and tremors. Keep reading to find out more about cat seizures and epilepsy. It can be alarming the first time your cat has a seizure, but by following the advice set out in this article, we hope you’ll have the confidence to remain calm and seek veterinary advice when necessary. Find out what you can do to make the experience less stressful for you and your pet.Ĭat seizures can be a symptom of many different diseases but are one of the more unusual illness symptoms in cats. Cat seizures have many causes and can often occur quite suddenly.
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